BruceK.Skipton

Bruce K. Skipton 1926 - 2011 GRANBY - Bruce K. Skipton of 58 Burnett St., died on Monday, September 12. He was born in Springfield on Aug. 31, 1926, the son of the late Malcolm K. and Mildred W. Skipton. He graduated from Classical High in 1944 and graduated from Amherst College, Cum Laude, in 1947. He served as editor of the college newspaper and was a letterman for three years on the swim team. Upon graduation, Mr. Skipton joined the former M.K. Skipton Co. of Springfield. Subsequently, he held several jobs as a buyer for Forbes and Wallace as well as Halles Bros. in Cleveland. He was also a store manager for Fun Stop in Springfield and a partner in the Ray Black Employment Agency. He was employed for 26 years with the school dept. of West Springfield where he served as a vocational counselor and where he started one of the first "school to work summer programs" that was designed to help seemingly unsuccessful high school students succeeed in school and attain graduation. An avid skier, ski patrol member, ski instructor, he also led a ski club at West Springfield High School for 25 years, and he and his wife Harriet enjoyed taking students on many ski trips. He and Harriet enjoyed over 50 years of skiing together. Mr. Skipton also enjoyed singing and sang with the Springfield Symphony Chorus, the South Hadley Chorale, and several church choirs. Mr. Skipton leaves behind his wife, Harriet of 56 years, a son Jeffrey and his wife Joy, a daughter Ginger (Wilson) and husband Scott, as well as his sister Judith Wilson, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His older brother, Malcolm Jr., predeceased him. A memorial service will be held at Center Congregational Church of South Hadley located on Church Street on Sat. Oct. 22 at 2:00. There will be a reception at the church immediately following the service. Burial will be private and there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Bruce K. Skipton scholarship at the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center at 174 Brush Hill Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089.

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